Boatswain. None that I more love than myself. You are a
25counsellor; if you can command these elements to
silence, and work the peace of the present, we will
not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you
cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make
yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of
30the hour, if it so hap. Cheerly, good hearts! Out
of our way, I say.

[Exit]

Gonzalo. I have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he
hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is
35perfect gallows. Stand fast, good Fate, to his
hanging: make the rope of his destiny our cable,
for our own doth little advantage. If he be not
born to be hanged, our case is miserable.

[Exeunt]

[Re-enter Boatswain]

Boatswain. Down with the topmast! yare! lower, lower! Bring
her to try with main-course.
[A cry within]A plague upon this howling! they are louder than
45the weather or our office.
[Re-enter SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and GONZALO]Yet again! what do you here? Shall we give o'er
and drown? Have you a mind to sink?

Antonio. We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards:
This wide-chapp'd rascal—would thou mightst lie drowning
The washing of ten tides!

Gonzalo. He'll be hang'd yet,
Though every drop of water swear against it
70And gape at widest to glut him.
[A confused noise within: 'Mercy on us!'—]'We split, we split!'—'Farewell, my wife and
children!'—
'Farewell, brother!'—'We split, we split, we split!']
75